Russia has ramped up attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea, seeking to disrupt Ukraine's last remaining maritime export corridor. A missile strike on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel 'Golden Leo' off the coast of Odesa killed 10 people, including nine crew members and a Ukrainian pilot.

The Ukrainian Air Force reported that the ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles on Sunday, sparking a fire. A search and rescue operation lasted through the night. India confirmed that four of its citizens were among the dead. The attack is the deadliest of its kind in recent weeks.

The Odesa region has faced sustained attacks, with regional head Oleh Kiper stating that 28 people were killed in July alone. Russian attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea have also increased, targeting vessels using Ukraine's maritime corridor to export agricultural goods worth approximately $9 billion annually.

India's foreign ministry condemned the endangerment of crew members and the impediment of freedom of navigation. Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi said the government and military are preparing decisions to enhance navigation safety and protect civilian vessels.

Despite the shelling, Odesa remains a popular holiday destination for Ukrainians, with air raid shelters set up on 40 beaches. Ukraine has also intensified attacks on Russian assets in the Black and Azov Seas. Drone forces commander Robert Brovdi claimed 183 vessels were struck in July, though this has not been independently verified.

The UN reported that June saw the highest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since April 2022, with at least 293 killed and 1,990 injured. Meanwhile, Ukraine struck an oil depot and logistics facilities in Russia's Moscow region, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claiming over 400 drones were launched. In Belgorod, a Ukrainian drone strike on a bus killed five people, including a child.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk